Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, every time the SPCA comes up in the context of funding and the services they provide for the community, I see an overwhelming tide of support from my constituents and from across the Northwest Territories. There was a news story just yesterday about dire funding straits for the SPCA. This is a matter that's been -- I've risen in this House, I've risen in committee. It's certainly something that's of mind to Northerners.
I'd like to ask the Premier why the SPCA is not considered a critical service as it relates to funding NGOs given the important work they do across the territory for all of our communities? Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Mr. Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I very much appreciate the work of the SPCA. I've had pets most of my life and, you know, when there's an emergency, I know that the trauma of being separated from your pet. So the work that they have done over the years is -- you know, is very important. What we are doing as a government is looking at the services that we provide, the services that we would have to provide if other service providers didn't do them. And so what we're focusing on now as we strengthen our relationship with the NGOs is those types of services, the services that if that NGO was to stop providing those services, such as the homeless shelter, the GNWT would have to pick up that slack and do that work. And so that is the -- those are the area that we are currently focusing on right now. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, Mr. Speaker, this summer Yellowknife's down to one vet, which means for pet owners, there's one vet in the Northwest Territories, apart from people who fly in to do work, largely brought in by the SPCA. There's some vets who work for ECC, I believe, who do wildlife work. So is the Premier offering to use our veterinary technical experts in the department to offshore this should the SPCA fold its doors because it can't pay the bills and they have no more funding to operate these essential services? Because I'm not hearing any other solutions. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Range Lake. It's second line of questioning. Can you come back to -- I'll put you on the list. That was very much different than your original line of questioning. Thank you.
Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
